"Whether you just experienced your first one or you have been experiencing them regularly for a long duration of time, panic attacks are scary, debilitating and beyond uncomfortable. They can be all-consuming and something that keeps you from living a "normal", functional life. If you are someone who suffers from a panic disorder or regular panic attacks, you may be wondering what you can do to avoid them or what you can do to cope with and endure them as they arise. Panic attacks can take hold of your life, but with some useful practices, you have the ability to take that power back. Keep reading to learn more about what panic attacks are and how to deal with them. You don"t have to be at the mercy of your panic and we want to support you in that.
Panic attacks are when you experience an acute episode of intense fear and panic, resulting in extreme mental and physical distress. Much like anxiety attacks, panic attacks are a result of your brain having a perception of a potential threat, often when there is no actual threat to your health or safety. These attacks can manifest in many real physical symptoms that can often lead you to believe that you are having a health emergency such as a heart attack. Panic attacks are incredibly frightening and lead individuals to feel completely out of control. While they are debilitating and intense, they are also short-lived. Each panic attack has a beginning and an end and, most importantly, will not last forever.
Often people experience panic attacks as a result of a traumatic event or significant life stress, and when the stress resolves or the event passes, so do the panic attacks. In other circumstances, a person can experience frequent or consistent panic attacks that can be brought on by basic life tasks and experiences. If that is something you are experiencing, you may be suffering from a panic disorder and should seek the help of a mental health professional to receive the support you need.
There are many conditions and situations that can cause panic attacks. As stated above, a significant life event or trauma can lead to someone experiencing panic attacks. Those panic attacks are typically directly tied to the stress of what you are experiencing, and once that event or experience is processed and moved through, the panic attacks also resolve. This could mean experience one or two panic attacks or sometimes more, but not occurring long-term or consistently for the duration of your life.
However, there are many circumstances where panic attacks are a more regular and repetitive occurrence. Typically, that is a result of a panic disorder. There are many panic disorders that can lead to frequent panic attacks."
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